Bonagia
The speaking I tells one of the pirates’ invasions on the west coast of Sicily long time ago.
“Bonagia” is the name of the gulf he refers to. You should imagine him singing during the battle.

The pirates’ ships have come to this gulf at night.
I’ve heard the sailors’ voice.
I’ve heard the neighbours’ calling.

All night long
there are those who try to escape
and those who shoot and fight.
Someone is in chain
and he is thrown into the ships.

If Mother Mary doesn’t save us
we’ll fall in the hands of these fucking bastards.

Oh friends who are going to Palermo …
Greet  that beautiful town.
Say hello to my relatives, friends and my old mother.
Tell her I’ll be in jail for 29 years and 29 days.
Tell her to send me a loaf of bread
and put a dagger in the middle.

Oh friends who want peace …
let’s change this town for love.

Amici … amici ca ‘mpalermu iti
“Friends who are going to Palermo” is a traditional song which was sung by those who stayed in jail near Palermo. Those messages were collected by passing carters who would keep singing the prisoners’ songs till their destination. Better than the internet.

U sceccu
Here “A donkey” is a metaphor for the exploited people. The song originated  from the riots for bread in Palermo in 1848.

One day a donkey was starving
while he was carrying bread
So it said: “Dear master, for people’s sake,
I’d like to have a piece of  bread.”
“Candles melt in sacristans’ hands
like snow on the fields.
As you are a sturdy and healthy man…
Think of my relief for a moment.”

The master sincerely answered:
“If it had been straw I would have given you a sackful,
but I don’t understand your request.
Even if I give you a piece of bread 
your hunger will remain the same.”
The donkey was troublesome
It stretched on the ground and said:
“The man who has eaten enough will never believe a hungry one”

Into this dark night don’t be afraid of the wolf.
Into this dark night don’t be afraid of yourself.
Into this dark night don’t be afraid of your destiny.
Into this dark night don’t be afraid of death.
Don’t be afraid of life.

If He calls you
you answer
and hear the angel’s calling.
If He calls you
you run
and answer with your life.

Into this dark night
there’s another black beast.
The wolf is harmless with him
and he’s pitiless.
He’s got his gun and his gloves.
He’s got a lot of money
and all the powerful people always support him.
Into the country
he didn’t really kill you and your freedom with a shot.
If you really want it
that beast will leave this country and these towns.

Into this dark night there are so many like him.
Into this dark night there are shots in the country.
Into this dark night there are holy men who are not saints.
Into this dark night
power of love can move the mountains
and make those thieves fall down.
There are boys who ask for better fortune,
but it seems people do not care at all.

Flower … oh flower which lives all the year …
Mafiosi must die in their blood.

Unchain my heart
because it can’t stay in chain any longer

If you really want it
that animal will leave this country and these towns.

Dintra sta notti niura
“Into this dark night” is a song about Mafia and the people who have fought against this criminal organization. It is particularly dedicated to Mauro Rostagno who was murdered in Trapani. This song starts with a traditional lullaby.

I can’t stand it anymore
those who always want to be right,
fanatics and masters.

I can’t stand it anymore
this polluted sea so full of tar,
all this confusion without dignity.

I can’t stand it anymore
single and married women,
handsome and perfumed men,
organized breakers of my balls,
politicians and lawyers,
the bride’s relatives
and this life which is always as on a steep slope.

I can’t stand it anymore
treacherous exploiters,
military c**ksucker
the best man who pulls your leg
and the friends who fuck you,
the football stars,
the hooligans’ cry,
wanted mafia criminals,
the destruction of the State.

I can’t stand it anymore

And if you can’t stand anymore
Sing with us, too

And if you can’t stand anymore
change with us, too

Unni pozzu cchiù
“I can’t stand it anymore” starts with a lament  and ends like a sort of blues tarantella.

Italian government
… you are really nasty.
You suck the poor men’s blood.
You  impose terrible taxes
which make people scared.
There’s a tax for everything …
eating and drinking,
growing children and sleeping,
living and dying.
There are just two things in this moment
which are not under taxation

Italian government
… Thank you
because pissing is for free
and defecating is allowed without stamped paper.

Our eyes are full
and our stomach is empty,
one hand behind and the other one before.
We are barefoot
and our clothes are ragged
while we are wandering down these paths.
We have become like the souls in purgatory,
naked like in hell, in the burning fire
… and from far off
there’s someone who makes fun of us
and steal all the money.

Italian government
… Thank you
because pissing is for free
and defecating is allowed without stamped paper.